Loading the quilt is a pain the first few times but is definitely better than crawling around on the floor or dragging your top, batting, backing & pins to the library or church and then having to setup the tables. I still lay some baby quilts out on the floor to tie them. If it weren't for hubby & the kids I'd use the dining room table but they seem to think it's only for sitting food on!

I ahve also beeen researching LAs because I am in the dreaming stage right now and hope to get one eventually. What is a builtin channel lock?

I've tried a few different methods of loading the quilt - found that process horrible too. I am now liking a system with velcro ... I made leaders that have a strip of velcro (loop side), and sets of secondary leaders that have the velcro mate (fuzzy side) - different sizes for baby size to queen size.

I sew the secondary leaders to the backing, float the top and batting. Am liking this now!

I have the Pfaff GrandQuilter Hobby 1200 (it has a 9" throat space), on a 12' table. I have not been happy with it - there is just not enough throat space, would like to move to at least the 18' throat.

I DIDN'T do enough research before I bought ...

I had a 14" LPQS Millineum that I sold a few years ago. I think it was a very nice machine but a bit too much for me. I'm now considering getting a smaller machine (longarm or midarm). Not sure which one yet.

I have an Ansley 26 (Tin Lizzie's big sister) and like it very much. I second what others have said - invest in going to a quilt show and try every machine and get all the prices. Some machines are really easy to move, others a bit harder and your style of work dictates what you will like. I used an HQ Avante in some classes and found that the movement was so easy that I wiggled way too much, but some people loved it's soft easy flow. The Ansley gave me a bit more control. Also, a quilt show will let you try larger and smaller throats. Realistically, if you are doing the movement yourself, you will have the best control in the first 1 ft deep area of quilting so a larger throat may not be helpful to you if you have short arms and need to stretch too much. If you are going to get a computerized version a longer throat definitely is a help since you can quilt a larger area and roll the quilt less often.
At the show:
1) Test every machine - don't assume that one machine by a maker is like all the others - each has different features and feel.
2) Ask them to show you how they load and unload and roll the quilts. They may balk since they don't want to have undo a quilt, but they can undo a small section or at least show you step by step how it is done on their machine. Some roll much easier than others.
3) Find out what comes with the machine (standard) and what options there are. Some have adjustable length and height frames, some don't come with rails (you buy your own at a local building supply store), some have electronic lifts others don't; some have special handles and/or feet for doing micro work, but those often are extra. Think about what you want and will do and that will help you decide what features you want and are willing to pay for.
4) If they say the frame is "adjustable" find out how the frame is adjusted. It is not a simple process to extend the length of most frames - it takes time and elbow grease. What size quilts do you want to quilt? Also, height's typically are adjustable, but some are on pneumatic lifts and others you practically have to take apart to raise or lower. That may not be important to you - again, know what you are paying for.
5) Know how much room you have and talk to the dealer about the amount of space the machine and frame and room to quilt really takes. I got a 12 ft frame (4 feet deep) and just barely had room to set it up even in a large room I thought would be plenty big enough. For a 12 foot frame, you would need at least a 15 X 8 or 9 ft space if you want to quilt free motion from the front and pantographs from the back and be able to get around without crawling under the frame!
6) Ask where the closest local dealer is. For the machines you are interested in make sure the dealer is close enough for you to get to classes, get help, make repairs, and get supplies if you need them fast.
7) Go visit the dealer and talk to them to make sure you are compatible. I finally made the decision on the Ansley because the Tin Lizzie dealer is closer and friendlier than any other dealer within an hour and a half radius of me. That means a lot.

I too am dreaming and saving in hopes of having my own quilting machine. In the meantime I use my new Viking Saphire with a 10" throat. I purchased the Flynn Quilting System and paid over $100 and then gave it away as no one would actually give me money for it! Big disappointment there. I am looking at the Tin Lizzie 18" at our local dealer.

I have had my Innova 18" for 2 years and just had the new Lightning Stitch put on it - I can go from a dead stop to 3,000 stitches per minute WITHOUT a long stitch! I swear the machine reads my mind. I have the 12' ProFrame - super sturdy and it has 4 rollers - I love having the dead bar because it means I never have to worry about leveling my quilt by changing the height of my take up roller. There is also 24/7/365 real-person tech support, even if you are just having tension problems. :thumbup: If you are looking at getting a longarm, you should read the article Renae Haddadin wrote on things the think about and ask about when you are looking -it's not machine-specific at all even though she also has an Innova. http://tiny.cc/21108 is where you can find it - you pretend to buy it (it's free) and then you can access it. Another cool thing about the Innova is it has a couching attachment that allows you to quilt with the fancy, thick yarns and you have a straight line on the back, not a zigzag!

Definitely try every longarm out there that you possibly can. It is a very personal choice as you can see from the posts here. I have tried several of the ones mentioned here in the last month at a quilt show and felt like I was driving a truck without power steering (think total body workout). I prefer to quilt with a light touch - 1 finger and thumb.

I definetly recommend test driving as many as you can before making your final decision and ask lots of questions.

With that said My mother has a Gammill and she like it. I was able to test drive hers of course and then also the A-1 and the Apqs Milli and Freedom.

I purchased the APQS Freedom with Quilt Glide and absolutely love it! It was a year old when I purchased it and still under warranty. I have had it since April. It is so smooth and easy to quilt with, with the quilt glide you can micro stitch without missing a stitch.
I have never had a problem with thread tension and just can't say enough about it.
Which ever you decide practice practice, they are so fun..

I had a Voyager 17 on a Proflex frame and hated it since it tired my wrists out too quickly. It was heavy and felt like I had to put some serious elbow grease in to moving it along - and I had the new Proflex carriage so that wasn't it. I was also frustrated that the stitch regulator would mean that I would have to cut a different sized piece out of my carriage..... I sold that machine and bought a Bailey 15 and a PCQ, robotic quilting carriage.

I can not tell you how I like it since I don't know how to use it and I haven't quilted a single thing - ever besides that first test piece I did with the Voyager.

I am considering selling it and just paying someone to do my quilting on the larger pieces I do. We shall see. I am going to try and find some time to work with it before I go and sell it. :(

I purchases A B-line 18 a homegrown from a Canadian company. Its a modified Juki chasis